Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Abel came by faith to offer an animal from the flock. It was the more excellent sacrifice because there was the shedding of blood for his sins. He was humble and obedient to the way stipulated by God. Cain, on the other hand, tried to use the produce of the land cultivated by his own effort, and God rejected Cain’s offering because it displeased Him.
Isaiah 64:6a (NKJV) But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags
Likewise, there are times when we attempt to use our own strength, good works, and abilities to come before God. However, we cannot boast of our own effort, just like Cain who approached God based on his terms, because our self-righteousness is like filthy rags, and makes us inappropriately dressed to meet God. Instead, we should just have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ which gave us our imputed righteousness. This is what pleases God!
Genesis 4:4 (NIV) And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering.
Blood represents life. The shedding of blood is sacrificing a life for another life. God was pleased and looked at Abel favourably because he obeyed and did it according to God’s requirement. Therefore, Abel was seen as righteous and Cain unrighteous. Likewise, we need to obey, acknowledge, submit, and have faith in the way that God has established for us to approach Him through the blood of Jesus Christ. We need to come before God by faith based on what Jesus has done for us on the cross of Calvary.
Also, we will enter a state of rest when we cease from using our own strength and futile works to approach God. We need to have the conviction that Jesus’ sacrifice is good enough, and we cannot add to His work by adding on what we do in our own strength, nor can we subtract from His work.
Sermon Series: What Pleases God? (Part 1)
自义不能蒙上帝喜悦
希伯来书 11:4 亚伯因着信，献祭与 神，比该隐所献的更美，因此便得了称义的见证，就是 神指他礼物作的见证。他虽然死了，却因这信，仍旧说话。
当亚当和夏娃得罪神时，一只无辜的动物被杀了，所以我们知道为了获得神的饶恕必须要有流血。因为祂是圣洁的神，必须有动物的流血才能平息祂对罪的烈怒。
希伯来书 9:22 按着律法，凡物差不多都是用血洁净的；若不流血，罪就不得赦免了。
亚伯因着信心将羊群中头生的献上。这是更美的献祭，因为有血为他的罪而流。他谦卑并顺服于神所定的方式。而另一头，该隐试图献上他凭借自己的努力耕种而获的土产，神拒绝了该隐的祭品，因为这不讨祂的喜悦。
以赛亚书 64:6a 我们都像不洁净的人；所有的义都像污秽的衣服
同样，有时我们会试图用自己的力量、善行和能力来到神面前。然而，我们无法夸耀自己的努力，就像该隐按自己的方式靠近神一样，因为我们的自义就像污秽的衣服，使我们穿着不得体去见神。反而，我们应该只相信耶稣基督的宝血，这血给了我们白白得来的义。这就是神所喜悦的！
创世记 4:4亚伯也将他羊群中头生的和羊的脂油献上。耶和华看中了亚伯和他的供物，
血代表生命。流血是一个生命为了另一个生命而作的牺牲。神悦纳并青睐亚伯，因亚伯顺服并按神的旨意行事。因此，亚伯被看做为义人，而该隐则为不义之人。同样，我们需要遵从、承认、顺服，并相信神为我们设立靠近祂的方式，就是藉着耶稣基督的宝血。我们要凭着耶稣在加略山十字架上为我们所做的，以信心来到神的面前。
同时，当我们停止用自己的力量和徒劳的事物来亲近神时，我们将进入安息。我们要笃信耶稣的牺牲已经足够，我们无法用自己的力量来添加祂所作的工，也无法作任何的删减。
讲章系列：什么能得上帝的喜悦？(第一部分)